I slept well despite the fact my head was too low. My spot was lumpy too, but I woke up refreshed, which is always good. I got up around 5:30 and was hiking before 6. It was chilly for once, which was nice. I had my jacket and hat on. My shoes and socks were still soaked from last night, so I had the pleasure of putting them on first thing. The trail was damp, so they just got wet again. I found water just before Bartle Gap. I filled my bottle even though I had enough to get to the springs at Moosehead Creek’s headwaters. Sure enough, I hadn’t touched that water by the time I got to Moosehead. I dumped it because it had floaters in it. I then filled up with clear coldwater. I had to carry enough for 10+ miles again, since there was no water for a while. After a moderate climb, I came to a rocky point that had an incredible view of Mt. Shasta. It was a beautiful sight. Mt. Shasta still had a cloud cap above its cone that was just disappearing as I got there.

Mt. Shasta

Walking the edge.

I would traverse along a ridge in the woods until I got within view of Grizzly Peak. Once in view, I walked mostly on the open and in and out of gullies. I crossed Road 38N10 twice and then Grizzly Peak Road just before Pigeon Hill. After crossing Grizzly Peak Road once more, I started a long traverse of the peak itself. It was almost noon and getting hot. I decided to have lunch at the South Ridge of Grizzly Peak Lookout road. I enjoyed a cool lunch in the shade of a fir tree. I only took a 45 minute break and moved on by 1 PM. From this point, it was all downhill on paper but there managed to be some small climbs thrown in there.

Sunrise on Shasta.

Shasta in the morning glow.

I got water at a side canyon, which dumped into Deer Creek and that would last me until Fitzhugh Gulch Creek 10 miles later. The downhill started to drag on me. I passed Butcherknife Creek and Dry Doodlebug Gulch and finally reached the bottom, McCloud-Big Bend Road. I hung out at the road and figured out that I had done 27.5 miles by 4:45 pm. I kinda hoped a car would come by and give me some trail magic but no one did. I moved on and in Ash Camp, just below the road, was a truck. The horn just sounded so they just arrived. I found a fisherman headed to the river. We talked fishing on the bridge then I moved on. I climbed a bit and reached Fitzhugh Gulch Creek where I got water but held onto the idea that I might go to CG just up the way. If it had showers and a phone, I was going.

I got to the road and decided to crunch the numbers and as I did a truck came from the CG. It was a father and son going to McCloud, Gavin and Kevin. I inquired about the CG and it didn’t have either a shower or phone. They offered to take me to McCloud to use a phone there; but, I’ve had enough towns for a while. They offered to get me anything from town if I was going to still be at the road crossing when they got back. I said sure, a Coke would be nice. Kevin said no problem. It was me who would have the problem. Once I began to cook, it became clear the mosquitoes were going to be bad. I cooked and fought them off, finally putting on my jacket and pant legs. I planned for them to be back by 7:30 and to do 3 more miles making tomorrow a 24 instead of 27. There are two big climbs tomorrow. After dinner was done, I walked in circles while writing this. The bugs would not leave me alone. It’s now 7:52 and I just hear their truck now. I will stay at the CG and use the sinks to wash up.

Scatman 2011- Most of this day I dreamed about a campground with showers and a phone. I knew deep inside that this campground was in the middle of nowhere and wasn’t going to have shit. Knowing this I still let myself believe it might. It made the miles go by faster. Little good that did me since I sat around for 2 hours waiting for all things a Coke. But damn, did it taste delicious when I finally tilted it back! Gavin and Kevin were gracious hosts and gave me extra food and beer. By the time I went to bed I didn’t care about the lack of showers or a phone. They were just motivators like dreaming of pizza or ice cream to help pass the time.